As a tech journalist who has tested a variety of futuristic gadgets, I recently had the opportunity to try out the Humane AI Pin. With a price tag of $699, this clip-on device promises to be a revolutionary voice-controlled communicator with laser display capabilities. The concept is undeniably impressive, resembling a Starfleet Badge from the world of science fiction. However, in practice, the Humane AI Pin falls short of expectations.
In a market flooded with AI wearables like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses and Brilliant’s display-enabled AI glasses, the Humane AI Pin aims to carve out a niche between smartwatches and earbuds. Designed by former Apple engineers, the Pin features a sleek, metal-edged design reminiscent of the first iPhone. The device comes with a unique battery system that includes a portable charge pack for on-the-go power.
One of the standout features of the Humane AI Pin is its laser-projected interface, which allows users to control the device by tapping and gesturing with their hand. While this feature may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, in reality, it can be frustrating to use. The display can be difficult to read, especially in outdoor lighting, and navigating the interface with hand gestures is not always intuitive.
The Pin also boasts instant translation capabilities and a camera that can analyze the world around you using AI. While these features are impressive in theory, in practice, they can be hit or miss. The translation function sometimes gets stuck in a specific language, and the camera’s AI functions can be slow to respond.
Overall, the Humane AI Pin shows promise as a potential game-changer in the world of wearables. However, in its current state, the device struggles to deliver on its ambitious goals. With a market already saturated with versatile and reliable smartphones, AI wearables like the Humane AI Pin will need to prove their value as affordable and practical extensions of our existing tech devices. As it stands, the Pin falls short of this mark, leaving room for improvement in future iterations.